5% Leak Rate. What does this mean?

My leak rate has jumped from 1% to 5%. I am not sure what this means? Does it mean that I am losing 5% of my air pressure? Or that I am leaking 5% of the night? Is resolution always mask-related? I am assuming so.

I believe the 5 % percent is your average per hour over the course of the night. I would try to determine where you are getting the leaks? Are you mouth breathing or leaking through your mask? Notmally if i leak bad enough from the mask It wakes me up.

where are you obtaining this 5 %? which machine? is this a software reading or an LED reading?

You also need to look at the manual for your mask. In there is a graph which tells you what the expected leak rate for the mask is (from the vents etc) for the given pressures. As long as you are under the expected leak rate you should be getting the therapy you are supposed to.

When all else fails....RTFM!!!

(read the manual...you'll be amazed how much those guys know about your machine!)

Guest, in order for us to answer your question you'll need to tell us exactly which machine you're using. Each manufacturer's machine reports leak rates differently. Personally, I've never heard of a leak rate being reported as a percentage, only in liters per minute (l/min) or liters per second (l/sec).

Leaks can be coming from mask seal leaks, losing therapy air from your mouth, or maybe even holes in your tubing. An excessive leak rate can cause your therapy to be ineffective. If you can tell us which specific machine you're using, we can tell you if that's considered an "acceptable" leak rate. Also let us know which specific model of mask you're using. And tell us if you are getting this number from your machine's LCD screen or from a software report.

I am actually not a guest. My computer did not have me logged in when I wrote that thread. I am now using the Respironics LifeFit mask (I think) It is the one that covers a good part of but not all of your face. The Respiratory Tech basically just gave it to me (out of sheer frustration) w/no manuel. I was using the LT for her w/a chinstrap and had a better AHI but was waking up with bad aerophagia. I had a lower AHI and leak rate but felt worse. So I am stuck now. I have tried about 6 masks. My husband said I snored while on the Liberty. I really like the F&P 432, that is the way it feels, but my husband always wakes me up due to a torrent of air coming out of the mask. The average of my 7-day AHI is now 7. It was between 2-3. So what has changed? My leak rate is up but I was using this mask before. So what's the deal now???

Oh yes, I recognize you from previous posts now that you're signed in. Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with your machine, but I found information that states:

"System leak - During any given night, the device recognizes the percentage of time the patient was experiencing what it deemed to be a large leak. Large leak is defined as the level of leak that is so large, it is no longer possible to determine respiratory events with statistical accuracy. This screen displays the average of these individual nightly values of percentage of time in large leak over a 7 day and 30 day time frame."

You said that your machine is now reporting the leak rate as 5%, from a former value of 1%. I don't really know if 5% is considered "excessive" enough to affect accuracy of AHI reported, but it does appear that your leak rate has increased for some reason.

If I understand correctly, your AHI was 2-3 while using the FitLife total face mask. You're still using that same mask, but your AHI has gone up to 7. It's possible that it's time for a new mask seal. Your seal may be wearing out and leaking now. You may be sleeping through that. Since your mouth is covered by the mask, then mouth-breathing doesn't account for the higher leak rate. It's possible that you may have a hole(s) in your hose or at one of the connections. Check that very thoroughly.

More leaks could explain higher AHI, there could be other reasons for an increased AHI. Are you taking any new medications? Any other changes -- more stress, for example? Some people have more apneas during REM sleep. Perhaps you're sleeping more deeply now? Any substantial weight gain that could explain it? Sleeping on your back more often?

You may need to continue trying different masks to find the best fit for you. I've tried about 15 myself, and only found a few that work well for me. You may want to consider trying the InnoMed/RespCare Hybrid. It's quite different than the Liberty Hybrid. Purchased online it comes with three nasal pillows and three mouth cushions. I purchased mine through cpapauction.com. I usually use nasal pillows (AEIOMed Headrest and Opus 360), but the InnoMed Hybrid seems to be good. I have been unable to find any other full-face mask that works for me, including the Liberty.

Maybe someone more familiar with your machine can offer some additional suggestions. I hope I've said something that helps. Please let us know what you discover.